The Raphael Affair - Hardcover

Pears, Iain

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0575047275 ISBN 13: 9780575047273

Publisher: Gollancz, 1990

Synopsis

A first crime novel which introduces General Bottando of the Italian Art Theft Department. The discovery of a previously unknown Raphael portrait rocks the art world. But what starts out as an embarrassment for the Italian government turns into much worse when murder enters the picture.

About this title

Review:

Praise for ‘The Raphael Affair’:

‘An impressive first, promising much.’ The Times

‘Good, clean art scam fun...plot layered as forger’s paint; Italophiles and gallery gazers will love it. A felicitous first.’ Guardian

‘Ingenious...a good read.’ Daily Express

‘Clever thriller... Pears balances politics, love and danger nicely, in a plot that has a cunning and satisfactory outcome.’ Sunday Times

Praise for the Jonathan Argyll series:

‘You don’t have to know much about art to enjoy Iain Pears’s Italian mysteries. Like a good teacher, he shares his passion unobtrusively and flavours his lessons with wit.’ Val McDermid

'Pears is a delightful writer, with a light, ironic touch.' Mail on Sunday

From the Back Cover:

When English art historian Jonathan Argyll is caught breaking into a church in Rome, he has an astonishing story to tell. He claims that the church contains a genuine Raphael, hidden under a painting by Mantini. Further investigation reveals that the painting has disappeared . . . to reappear later in the hands of top English art dealer, Edward Byrnes.

Soon Byrnes is able to unveil the Raphael before an amazed world. But how has he found out about the hidden masterpiece? And there is also the curious matter of the forger whose safety deposit box contains highly suspicious sketches.

Then a hideous act of vandalism is perpetrated. Murder is to follow . . . and General Bottando of Italy's Art Theft Squad faces the most critical challenge of his whole career.

"Pears is a delightful writer, with a light, ironic touch."
FRANCES HEGARTY ' Mail on Sunday'

"Iain Pears has a superior line in this kind of tale"
'Guardian'

"You don't have to know very much about art to enjoy Iain Pears's Italian mysteries. Like a good teacher, he shares his passion unobtrusively and flavours his lessons with wit"
VAL McDERMID

About this edition

• Publisher: Gollancz
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0575047275
• ISBN 13: 9780575047273
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192